My Personal Reflection:
"Return to the Lord"
Christian lifestyle and life, in general, require equilibrium - a balance between the joys & sorrow. Surely, I've had my share of both and will continue to have those moments. They are, first and foremost, just moments with which, through passage of time, will elapse. It's quite evident that, as I submit to the trials of my sophomore year (the devastating illnesses that consume my family, the death of a friend, the immigration rejections, the possible dissolution of my parents' marriage, and my poor performance in school ), I must religiously remind myself that all these will also pass. I can honestly say that the Lord has been carrying me through all this even though it's as if He has abandoned me, leaving me at the hands of the enemy. At my times of weakness and despair, the times I question how much farther must I walk in the darkness, I often hear a faint whisper, "I will never leave you, I will never abandon you." (Hebrews 13:5). It's funny how I see myself dillusional when I hear and feel His presence. Today, Ash Wednesday, is my time with the Lord. It's my time to "return" to Him. I've been gone so long.
"Be a little bit more"
At 6:15am, I find myself sitting in the front pew at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. The sky was dark with a faint hint of sunshine, trying to peak through the clouds, a little similar to my current situation. I take a deep breath and remind myself of the blessing of a new day. Each step I took was definitely one which reminds me to become a better person. There is an initial point and a destination. One cannot reach the destination (heaven) unless the individual takes the necessary steps (live in the Spirit, who dwells with us) to arrive successfully (2 Cor. 13:5). Now my goal and focus of TODAY is to "be a little more":
*joyful - celebrate all the elements of life
*realistic - see that there are many solutions to one problem
*compassionate - attend to the sick members of my family with tenderness
*goal-oriented - don't take school for granted because many don't have the opportunity to get a college education
*prayerful - remember that all things of this world was manifested through the works of our Creator; therefore, honor, praise, and our complete gratitude should be duly given.
Our lives are only borrowed. This earth is temporary. But God.. God is not finite. So as in the words Fr. Brian Castaneda, "I challenge you to be a little bit more."
"The Lord loves a cheerful giver"
I will attempt to turn my inner contempt into one of cheerfulness. Each night I spend with my aunt, I am given nothing but negativity. She sees everything in the lens of fear. She pines for constant supervision. She goes out of her way to have someone accompany her, despite the duties the person might have for that day. The circumstances may present itself as impossible and difficult, even annoying at times, but I will give it my all. Lord, please give me the patience. I need the strength to convince her that You are always with her and there is no need to be scared. You, oh compassionate Father, are MY HOPE.
Scriptures:
"For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7)
"Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." (Psalms 51:2)
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. " (Psalms 51:10)
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" (Matt. 6:26)
"And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?" (Matt. 6:27)
I'm going to stop procrastinating ... once I get around to it.
- unknown (nor surprisingly)
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My Personal Reflection:
"Return to the Lord"
Christian lifestyle and life, in general, require equilibrium - a balance between the joys & sorrow. Surely, I've had my share of both and will continue to have those moments. They are, first and foremost, just moments with which, through passage of time, will elapse. It's quite evident that, as I submit to the trials of my sophomore year (the devastating illnesses that consume my family, the death of a friend, the immigration rejections, the possible dissolution of my parents' marriage, and my poor performance in school ), I must religiously remind myself that all these will also pass. I can honestly say that the Lord has been carrying me through all this even though it's as if He has abandoned me, leaving me at the hands of the enemy. At my times of weakness and despair, the times I question how much farther must I walk in the darkness, I often hear a faint whisper, "I will never leave you, I will never abandon you." (Hebrews 13:5). It's funny how I see myself dillusional when I hear and feel His presence. Today, Ash Wednesday, is my time with the Lord. It's my time to "return" to Him. I've been gone so long.
"Be a little bit more"
At 6:15am, I find myself sitting in the front pew at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. The sky was dark with a faint hint of sunshine, trying to peak through the clouds, a little similar to my current situation. I take a deep breath and remind myself of the blessing of a new day. Each step I took was definitely one which reminds me to become a better person. There is an initial point and a destination. One cannot reach the destination (heaven) unless the individual takes the necessary steps (live in the Spirit, who dwells with us) to arrive successfully (2 Cor. 13:5). Now my goal and focus of TODAY is to "be a little more":
*joyful - celebrate all the elements of life
*realistic - see that there are many solutions to one problem
*compassionate - attend to the sick members of my family with tenderness
*goal-oriented - don't take school for granted because many don't have the opportunity to get a college education
*prayerful - remember that all things of this world was manifested through the works of our Creator; therefore, honor, praise, and our complete gratitude should be duly given.
Our lives are only borrowed. This earth is temporary. But God.. God is not finite. So as in the words Fr. Brian Castaneda, "I challenge you to be a little bit more."
"The Lord loves a cheerful giver"
I will attempt to turn my inner contempt into one of cheerfulness. Each night I spend with my aunt, I am given nothing but negativity. She sees everything in the lens of fear. She pines for constant supervision. She goes out of her way to have someone accompany her, despite the duties the person might have for that day. The circumstances may present itself as impossible and difficult, even annoying at times, but I will give it my all. Lord, please give me the patience. I need the strength to convince her that You are always with her and there is no need to be scared. You, oh compassionate Father, are MY HOPE.
Scriptures:
"For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7)
"Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." (Psalms 51:2)
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. " (Psalms 51:10)
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" (Matt. 6:26)
"And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?" (Matt. 6:27)